Meaning & use
hitchhikers
Last updated
“hitchhikers” is a form of “hitchhiker”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounplural
People who travel by getting free rides from passing vehicles, usually by standing at the side of the road with a thumb out.
Grammar: Plural noun; the singular is 'hitchhiker'. Use it with a plural verb: 'Hitchhikers wait by the road.'
Patterns
- hitchhikers on the road
- pick up hitchhikers
- a group of hitchhikers
We saw two hitchhikers by the highway and gave them a lift.
Hitchhikers often carry a sign showing their destination.
In some countries, picking up hitchhikers is considered risky.
Word forms
| singular | hitchhiker |
|---|
Common combinations
- pick up hitchhikers
- The truck driver often picks up hitchhikers on long journeys.
- a pair of hitchhikers
- A pair of hitchhikers stood at the edge of the road.
- hitchhikers' guide
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a famous science fiction series.
Synonyms and how they differ
- thumber
- An informal, rare word for a hitchhiker; 'hitchhiker' is the standard term.
Word family
- hitchhike verb
- to travel by getting free rides
- hitchhiking noun
- the activity of traveling this way
Commonly confused: hitchhikers or hitchhiker's?
hitchhikers vs hitchhiker's
Possessive form, as in 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. Do not confuse with the plural 'hitchhikers'.
Practice
We stopped to give ______ a ride to the next town.
Choose one answer.
The singular 'a hitchhiker' is needed because the sentence refers to one person. 'Hitchhikers' is plural and would need a plural pronoun; 'the hitchhiker' suggests a specific one already mentioned.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hitchhikers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.